Thread: compiler help...!!!

  1. 06-28-2009 #1
    nishu1988
    nishu1988 is offline
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Posts
    12

    compiler help...!!!

    Well, this is question is not at all related to c programming.


    I need to ask that compared to all compilers like borland, turbo(irrelevant of any updated edition) which have their own ide environments, i didn't see any IDE in mingw or gcc. Why..??


    I downloaded the whole package of gcc 4.4.0 and mingw32 for windows XP, but was confused regarding from where to start. I was clear regarding the modification of the envirinment variables but after that things went clumsy for me.

    I use TurboC++4.5 for my c/c++ programming.I just want to get clear concerning the usage of gcc and mingw in windows.


    Extremely sorry for my ignorance but plzz help me..!!!



    Nishant
  2. 06-28-2009 #2
    cyberfish
    cyberfish is offline
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    3,229
    GCC is just a compiler.

    For an IDE that can use GCC, I recommend Code::Blocks.
  3. 06-28-2009 #3
    Salem
    Salem is offline
    and the hat of int overfl Salem's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Location
    The edge of the known universe
    Posts
    39,659
    IDEs are separate from compilers.

    Some IDEs (like Visual Studio) are hopelessly intertwined with the compiler that it's near impossible to use another compiler in the IDE. The advantage being it works "out of the box".

    Other IDEs (like Eclipse) don't give a monkeys about which compilers you use, so long as you configure the tools properly.

    IDEs like Code::Blocks come preset for say gcc on a particular platform, but adding others should not be that hard.

    The very basic requirement is
    - a compiler
    - a text editor
    - a command line.
    That's all you need to compile and run any kind of program.
    If you dance barefoot on the broken glass of undefined behaviour, you've got to expect the occasional cut.
    If at first you don't succeed, try writing your phone number on the exam paper.
  4. 06-29-2009 #4
    $l4xklynx
    $l4xklynx is offline
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Posts
    115
    If you decide to use codeblocks with mingw Here's a link on how to set it up I'm using codeblocks with mingw.
  5. 06-29-2009 #5
    MK27
    MK27 is offline
    spurious conceit MK27's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    segmentation fault
    Posts
    8,300
    No doubt this is because new programmer's get sold a list of things you "need":

    - a computer
    - a brain
    - a C compiler
    - an IDE

    That last one is false. You do not need an IDE to program.

    I've said this before, based on observating "the newbies" at cboard for a while: IMO an IDE is actually bad for a beginning programmer. The functionality that it provides is totally unnecessary while learning about pointers, functions, etc. and doing small projects of only a few hundred lines.* It will only add to your confusion AND potentially lead you into various strange misconceptions about what code is, what programs are, and how the two relate to each other on a computer system on the most basic level. Plus they apparently waste a tremendous amount of time just trying to learn to use the stupid thing. Remember, an IDE is not designed for a beginner, it is designed for a professional.

    So, nishu1988, my advice to you is to find a nice text editor with syntax highlighting and learn to use the command line and the compiler. Later you may want to use an IDE (or not), but you should try to get a least a little bit of hands on experience working without one.

    I'd actually love to hear from the old timers what year they starting using a GUI IDE, which IDE it was, and for what reason they started using it.

    *the functionality that it provides may be totally unnecessary ever...
    Last edited by MK27; 06-29-2009 at 08:23 AM.
    C programming resources:
    GNU C Function and Macro Index -- glibc reference manual
    The C Book -- nice online learner guide
    Current ISO draft standard
    CCAN -- new CPAN like open source library repository
    3 (different) GNU debugger tutorials: #1 -- #2 -- #3
    cpwiki -- our wiki on sourceforge
  6. 06-29-2009 #6
    KBriggs
    KBriggs is offline
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Posts
    486
    You really don't need an IDE. Get a free plain text editor that has syntax highlighting (Kate for linux is great) and learn the basics of the command line. I have used both the command line and IDEs and to be honest, the amount of time I spent learning to use the blasted IDE properly could have been better spent programming directly. And now that I do know how to use it, I use kate+command line anyway.

    Especially with something like Eclipse, you will spend more time learning the IDE than the language you are working with, and unless you know a lot about IDEs in general, they can add a whole other layer of debugging, at least in the early stages.

    Once you get to big programs with multiple programmers than you want to start thinking about IDEs. Little personal projects, waste of time.
« Previous Thread | Next Thread »
Popular pages Recent additions subscribe to a feed

Similar Threads

  1. Compiler Paths...
    By Cobra in forum C++ Programming
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 09-26-2006, 04:04 AM
  2. C Compiler and stuff
    By pal1ndr0me in forum C Programming
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 07-21-2006, 11:07 AM
  3. I can't get this new compiler to work.
    By Loduwijk in forum C++ Programming
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 03-29-2006, 06:42 AM
  4. how to call a compiler?
    By castlelight in forum C Programming
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 11-22-2005, 11:28 AM
  5. Bad code or bad compiler?
    By musayume in forum C Programming
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 10-22-2001, 09:08 PM